Page 88 of The Stone Initiation
“Cam, get down!” Touron shouted.
I hit the grass and the air above me rippled as a gargoyle flew past missing grabbing me by a mere foot.
“Shut your mouth Touron!” Dayn bellowed.
I rolled, jumped up and ran again, there was no time to stop and look back. I had to use my instincts to guide me. Where was the post I needed to tag? There!
Movement to my right had me veering left.
“It’s me!” Sharniza yelled. “I’m covering yo—”
A whirlwind of gray smashed into her, and the two gargoyles rolled in the mud—a mass of arms, legs, and wings.
I swerved away from her before adjusting my trajectory toward the tagging post. The rain fell in sheets making it difficult to see, to breath, to think. The ground vibrated and the spot between my shoulder blades tightened. There was a gargoyle on my tail. A gust of air hit my back and then a shadow fell over me.
My pursuer had taken flight.
I caught sight of Saffe in the air to my right, swerving and diving to evade Palia and Bonet. What was the point of this damn exercise? “Argh!” I dove at the ground to avoid the slice of talons and slid through the mud for several meters.
“Get back here you rat,” Dayn growled.
I rolled to my feet and risked a look over my shoulder to see him advancing on me. Shadows raced toward me from the left and right.
I kicked up my feet and ran using the only thing I had to my advantage.
Speed.
I was fast, always had been, and these lumbering bastards weren’t going to get me. I feinted left then right to slide between Waxen’s legs before scrambling to my feet once more.
The post was in sight. I grabbed it briefly. “Tag!” I turned and ran along the edge of the field putting some distance between me and my pursuers, who’d expected me to double straight back.
They flew toward me.
A body landed in front of me. Bonet. He nodded my way then launched himself into the air toward Dayn and Waxen.
I didn’t stop to watch them tangle. My attention was on the final post.
Someone yelled curses from the air behind me.
“Grab her, Waxen!” Dayn bellowed.
Shit! Looked like Bonet had snagged Dayn but Waxen had gotten away.
Wings beat close behind me. Gaining on me.
The post was so close now. I pushed harder, lungs burning with the effort.
Waxen landed several yards in front of me and blocked my path with his huge body.
Crap.
Sharniza cut ahead of me. “Stay behind me!”
We ran single file and she body-slammed Waxen, sending him flying.
Yes, Shar! Fuck yes! We were so close to the winning post now that I could almost taste it, but the ground was slippery, slowing my pace while the goyles’ large feet allowed them some stability, and shit, they were catching up to us.
“Keep moving,” Curi ordered from the air above me. “We got you.”
